Device for presentation of an ice cream

ABSTRACT

A device for presenting ice cream. The device includes: a first container for the ice cream, incorporating a base for supporting the ice cream, and a hollow rod extending between an upper end and a lower end at the base, the upper and lower ends being open; a second container intended to be sealed by the base of the first container; and a tube to be assembled with the hollow rod to form a suction channel for drawing a liquid contained in the second container. The device also includes a closure member for closing the upper end of the hollow rod, which closure member can be moved from a closed position to an open position in which the hollow rod is open.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/FR2019/051049, filed May 9, 2019, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and published as WO 2019/234320 on Dec. 12, 2019, not in English.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of food product packaging. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for packaging at least one ice cream, for presenting it with a second liquid or semi-liquid ingredient.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Ice creams, sorbets (including “Slush puppies”) are available in many flavours. In some cases, they may incorporate additional ingredients, such as pieces of fruit, pieces of chocolate or candied coffee beans, etc.

The supports for presenting these sorbets, or these ice creams, come in different and various forms. To this end, they may be presented in biscuit cones, small cardboard tubs, on sticks, in classic containers whereof the lid may be mounted on the container to form a stand.

Of course, in specialised restaurants (ice cream parlours) or not, glass cups in more or less complex shapes, or even plates, are used the most often, which makes it possible to offer ice creams or sorbet enhanced with various ingredients such as, whipped cream, coulis, chocolate or liquid caramel, syrups, or even some alcohols.

Conventionally, this type of dessert is mainly reserved for restaurants or ice cream parlours wherein the consumer sits while eating their dessert.

Currently, no packaging exists that makes it possible to offer ice creams or sorbets associated with a liquid or semi-liquid ingredient likely to be consumed while moving about or, at the very least, without sitting at a table of a restaurant or other.

In order to overcome this drawback, patent document published under the number U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,079 proposes an ice cream packaging that is presented in the form of a device that makes it possible to offer the association of said ice cream(s) with a liquid or semi-liquid ingredient, which is suitable for a mobile consumption mode, in particular while moving about (while walking for example).

More specifically, the device for the presentation of an ice cream comprises:

-   -   a first container for containing the ice cream, incorporating:         -   a base for supporting the ice cream,         -   a hollow rod extending between an upper end and a lower end             at the base, the upper end and the lower end being open;     -   a second container intended to be sealed by the base of the         first container;     -   a tube intended to be assembled with the hollow rod to form a         suction channel for drawing a liquid contained in the second         container,

With said type of packaging, it is possible for example to fill the first container with a liquid, then close the first container by putting back on the base that then acts as a lid, and place the assembly in the freezer to form the ice cream.

However, there is a risk that the ice cream also forms in the hollow rod, which forces the consumer to wait for this ice cream to melt inside the hollow rod in order to suck up the liquid (or other product) contained in the second container once that the first container and the second container are assembled.

Obviously, this is not desirable since the consumer cannot then enjoy simultaneous consumption of the ice cream of the first container and of the liquid of the second container.

In addition, the presence of ice cream may prevent the assembly of the tube with the hollow rod when the tube is intended to be inserted into the hollow rod.

SUMMARY

The aim of the invention in particular is to propose a device for the presentation of an ice cream making it possible to simultaneously consume the ice cream and the liquid as soon as the ice cream is removed from a freezer.

The invention also aims to provide such a device for the presentation of an ice cream that is easy to use.

The invention further aims to provide such a device for the presentation of an ice cream that can be reusable.

Said aims, as well as others that will subsequently become apparent, are achieved thanks to the invention that has for subject matter a device for the presentation of an ice cream, comprising:

-   -   a first container for containing the ice cream, incorporating:         -   a base for supporting the ice cream,         -   a hollow rod extending between an upper end and a lower end             at the base, the upper end and the lower end being open;     -   a second container intended to be sealed by the base of the         first container;     -   a tube, independent of the first container and of the second         container, intended to be inserted into the hollow rod to form a         suction channel for drawing a liquid contained in the second         container,         characterised in that the device also comprises a closure member         for closing the upper end of the hollow rod, which closure         member can be moved from a closed position to an open position         of the hollow rod to make it possible to consume the liquid of         the second container.

The device according to the invention makes it possible for a consumer to eat the ice cream whilst sucking up, by means of the hollow rod and of the tube, the liquid contained in the second container.

Moreover, the closure member makes it possible that, when the ice cream is formed in the first container, that the ice cream does not form inside the hollow rod. Indeed, the presence of ice cream inside the hollow rod may prevent the assembly of the tube with the hollow rod, in particular when the tube is inserted into the hollow rod. In addition, even if the hollow rod and the tube can be assembled, the presence of ice cream in the hollow rod will prevent the sucking up of the liquid contained in the second container, hence the aim of the device is to make it possible to consume the ice cream and the liquid at the same time (for example, alcohol or squash) contained in the second container.

According to one preferred embodiment, the closure member comprises a rod having a first solid end intended to be inserted into the hollow rod of the first container from the lower end until the upper end is closed.

The configuration of the closure member makes it possible to fill, at least partially the hollow rod, so that even if the hollow rod came to ice up on the inner periphery thereof, the presence of the closure member ensures that, during the separation between the closure member and the hollow rod, a channel will be existing to make it possible to suck up the liquid from the second vessel and/or insert the tube into the hollow rod to make possible the assembly thereof.

Advantageously, the closure member comprises a pair of lugs located at a second end opposite the first end, for the handling of the closure member.

The lugs facilitate both the insertion of the closure member into the hollow rod and the separation between the closure member and the hollow rod. Moreover, the lugs make it possible to rotate the closure member inside the hollow rod to break ice cream potentially present between the closure member and the hollow rod.

Preferably, the second container comprises a body having a bottom wherefrom extends a peripheral wall, and an upper wall, opposite the bottom and having an opening for introducing the tube into the second container.

The configuration of the second container makes it possible to safely contain the liquid since the upper wall makes it possible to prevent an involuntary loss of liquid whilst permitting, thanks to the opening thereof, the passage of the tube for the sucking up of the liquid.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the second container comprises a membrane seal for covering the opening of the upper wall.

The membrane seal makes it possible to contain the liquid in the second vessel before the insertion of the tube and the sealing of the second vessel by the base of the first vessel. The membrane seal may thus either be pierced by the tube, or removed by pulling out for example.

Advantageously, the first container comprises a receptacle formed by a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom, the base having a drip gutter for receiving an end of the peripheral wall of the receptacle to form a closed volume between the receptacle and the base.

The closed volume may then be filled with a product in liquid form for forming the ice cream, for example by exposure to a negative temperature.

During the consumption of the ice cream, the receptacle may then be removed then put back on the base so that the unconsumed ice cream does not liquefy at the risk of being lost.

Preferably, the peripheral wall of the second container has a peripheral groove located close to the upper wall and the base comprises a ring hook intended to be inserted into the peripheral groove of the second container to make it possible to seal the first container by the base.

Such a configuration ensures a simple and quick assembly of the container with the first container, and more particularly of the base on the second container. Furthermore, such an assembly is then reversible to make it possible to keep the second container (by refilling it with liquid if applicable) to assemble thereon another first container containing a new ice cream.

In particular, this makes it possible to have an infinite (or almost) combination of flavours of liquids and flavours of ice creams.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the first container comprises at least one gusset integral with the base and with the hollow rod to hold in position the hollow rod.

The gussets thus ensure the correct positioning of the hollow rod during the formation of the ice cream. Indeed, without said gussets, the hollow rod could tilt, making it difficult to insert the tube into the opening of the second vessel and to seal the second vessel with the base of the first vessel.

In other terms, the holding in position of the hollow rod during the formation of the ice cream ensures the correct positioning of the tube once assembled with the hollow rod, and, therefore, facilitates the sealing of the second vessel by the base of the first vessel.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the hollow rod comprises means for retaining the tube in the hollow rod.

At the same time as the retention of the tube when it is inserted into the hollow rod, the retention means make it possible to ensure that the tube is opposite the upper end of the hollow rod, so that the fluidic communication between the upper end of the hollow rod and the tube is ensured. From that moment on, the consumer is not forced to a significant suction effort to bring the liquid contained in the second vessel up to their month.

Such retention means make it possible to slightly deform the tube to ensure the retention thereof in the hollow rod.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the closure member is integral with the first container.

In this case, the closure member is preferably integral with the receptacle, so that the consumption of the ice cream and of the liquid is possible as soon as the receptacle is removed, which makes it possible to access the ice cream. Thus, it is not necessary to carry out a step dedicated to removal of the closure member, which facilitates the use of the presentation device and reduces the waiting time of the consumer to enjoy their ice cream.

Such retention means make it possible to slightly deform the tube to ensure the retention thereof in the hollow rod. Moreover, the spacing of the protuberances ensures that the tube can be retained in the hollow rod even if it has shape defects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of a preferable embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a device for the presentation of an ice cream, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a closure member of the device according to the invention, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view according to the insert IV in FIG. 3, showing the assembly between a first container and a second container of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a detailed schematic view showing a portion of the second container of the device according to the invention, the second container being provided with a closure membrane seal;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a device 1 for the presentation of an ice cream, according to the invention, comprises:

-   -   a first container 2;     -   a second container 3 intended to be sealed by the first         container 2;     -   a tube 4 forming a straw to make it possible for a consumer to         suck up a liquid contained in the second container 3 from the         first container 2;     -   a closure member 5, illustrated in detail in FIG. 2, which can         be moved from a closed position for closing a portion of the         first container 2 as explained hereafter, to an open position         preventing the closure of a portion of the first container 2.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the first container 2 comprises a receptacle 21 and a support 22 that mutually define a closed volume 23.

The receptacle 21 forms a dome and comprises a bottom 211, a peripheral wall 212 extending from the bottom 211 up to a free end 213.

By way of example, the receptacle 21 is produced in a plastic material for example by moulding. The constituent plastic material of the receptacle 21 may have properties such as once moulded, the receptacle is transparent, translucent or of a chosen colour.

However, other materials such as bamboo, steel or any other natural and/or reusable material could be used. Such materials make it possible in particular to create receptacles 21 of different shapes and colours.

The support 22 comprises, for its part, a base 221 and a hollow rod 222 that extends substantially perpendicular to the base 221, between an upper end 2221 and a lower end 2222 located at the base 221.

Advantageously, the upper end 2221 and the lower end 2222 are open, that is to say that a fluid may pass through the hollow rod 222 from the upper end 2221 to the lower end 2222 and vice versa.

Preferably, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the hollow rod 222 has a frustoconical shape, the lower end 2222 having a larger diameter than the upper end 2221.

The hollow rod 222 comprises protuberances 2223 protruding inwardly of the hollow rod 222. More specifically, the hollow rod comprises three protuberances 2223 distributed at 120° from one another, said protuberances forming means for retaining the tube 4 as explained hereafter.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the base 221 has a peripheral drip gutter 2211 extending along the extension of the hollow rod 222 and for receiving the end 213 of the peripheral wall of the receptacle 21.

With reference to FIG. 4 in particular, the drip gutter 2211 has recesses 2211 a wherethrough the melted ice cream may flow and be collected between the base 221 and the second container 3. Thus, the melted ice cream does not drip along the second container 3 and does not reach the fingers of the consumer. Moreover, the consumer does not risk getting their clothes dirty due to the drips of melted ice cream.

Preferably, the drip gutter 2211 has three recesses 2211 a distributed at 120° from one another. This makes it possible to facilitate the recovery of the melted ice cream and prevent a localised accumulation of melted ice cream in the drip gutter 2211. Such an accumulation could then overflow and form a drip on the second container 3, and therefore adversely affect the enjoyable experience of consuming the ice cream.

Furthermore, the base 221 also comprises a ring hook 2212 extending inwardly of the base 221, the ring hook 2212 being intended to cooperate with the second container 3 to ensure the assembly of the first container 2 with the second container 3 as explained in detail hereafter.

In order to ensure the connection between the hollow rod 222 and the base 221, the support 22 also comprises gussets 223, integral with the base 221 on one hand and the hollow rod 222 on the other hand. Moreover, the gussets 223 make it possible to facilitate the consumption of the ice cream by preventing the rotation thereof about the hollow rod 222.

Advantageously, the support 22 comprises two gussets 223 spaced 180° from one another. The number of two gussets 223 is advantageously chosen to make it possible to hold the hollow rod 222 correctly without it getting in the way of the consumer for eating the ice cream.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the support 22 is produced in a plastic material in an integral manner, that is to say the base 221, the hollow rod 222 and the gussets 223 are integral and only form one piece for example obtained by moulding.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the second container 3 comprises a bottom 31, a peripheral wall 32 extending from the bottom 31, and an upper wall 33 opposite the bottom 31.

More specifically, the second container 3 forms a housing 34 wherein a liquid may be received, the liquid being inserted into the housing 34 via an opening 35 made in the upper wall 33.

Advantageously, once that the housing 34 is filled with liquid, the second container 3 may receive a membrane seal 36 for closing the housing 34 so that the liquid that it contains is retained in the second container 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 on the detail of the device 1, the peripheral wall 32 of the second container 3 has a peripheral groove 321 and an oblique protrusion 322 extending outwardly of the second container 3.

More particularly, the peripheral groove 321 is located close to the upper wall 33 and is intended to cooperate with the ring hook 2212, and the oblique protrusion 322 is located above the peripheral groove 321, that is to say between the upper wall 33 and the peripheral groove 321.

Said arrangement makes it possible to assemble the first container 2 with the second container 3 as explained hereafter.

In one embodiment not shown in the figures, the assembly of the first container 2 with the second container 3 is performed by screwing.

In this case, the base 221 of the first container 2 bears an internal tapping for cooperating with an external threading made on the second container 3.

More specifically, the tapping replaces the ring hook 2212, and the external threading replaces the peripheral groove 321 and the oblique protrusion 322.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the second container 3 is produced in a plastic material combining strength and lightness to facilitate the consumption of the ice cream and of the liquid contained in the device 1.

However, other materials such as bamboo, steel or any other natural and/or reusable material could be used for the manufacture of the second container 3. Such materials make it possible in particular to create second containers 3 of different shapes and colours.

The tube 4 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, is in the form of a hollow cylinder, with circular section. Preferably, the tube 4 is produced in a plastic material (or any other natural and/or reusable material) and has a thin wall permitting an elastic deformation of the tube 4 by the protuberances 2223 when it is inserted into the hollow rod 222. Once inserted into the hollow rod 222 and elastically deformed, the tube 4 is held in position and makes it possible for the consumer to suck up the liquid of the housing 34 of the second container 3 from the upper end 2221 of the hollow rod 222.

The closure member 5, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 make it possible in particular to prevent the formation of ice cream inside the hollow rod 222 during the formation of the ice cream in the closed volume 23 of the first container 2.

For this, the closure member 5 can be moved from a closed position wherein the closure member 5 closes at least the upper end 2221 of the hollow rod 222, to an open position wherein the closure member 5 opens the upper end 2221 of the hollow rod 222.

According to a first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure member 5 comprises a rod 51 having a first solid end forming a pin 52 and handling lugs 53 at a second end opposite the first end.

The pin 52 is intended to close the upper end 2221 of the hollow rod 222 so that the product constituting the ice cream does not enter the hollow rod 222 at the risk of forming ice cream.

Advantageously, the pin 52 may have an outer periphery provided with a threading intended to come into helicoidal engagement with the upper end 2221.

The handling lugs 53 make it possible for a restaurant owner to easily remove the closure member 5 of the hollow rod 222 (for example by rotation of the closure member 5 about the axis of extension thereof, by acting on the lugs 53) to permit the insertion of the tube 4 into the hollow rod 222.

Advantageously, the rod 51 of the closure member also has a frustoconical shape so as to produce an assembly by complementarity of shape between the closure member 5 and the hollow rod 222.

The use of the device 1 for the presentation of an ice cream, according to the invention, comprises the following three phases:

-   -   formation of the ice cream in the first container 2;     -   assembly of the first container 2 with the second container 3;     -   consumption of the ice cream and of the liquid.

In order to form the ice cream, the receptacle 21 is filled with a liquid or semi-liquid product that, after resting at a negative temperature will form the ice cream.

Once the receptacle 21 has been filled, the hollow rod 222 is inserted into the receptacle 21 until the end 213 of the peripheral wall 212 of the receptacle 21 is lodged into the peripheral drip gutter 2211 of the support 22, which forms the first container 2.

Before the insertion of the hollow rod 222 into the receptacle 21, the closure member 5 will have been positioned in the hollow rod 222 so that the pin 52 closes the upper end 2221 of the hollow rod 222. Thus, the product contained in the receptacle is prevented from flowing into the hollow rod 222.

Subsequently, the first container 2 is placed in a freezer (or any container at negative temperature) so that the liquid or semi-liquid product transforms into ice cream.

When a consumer desires a consumption, a restaurant owner (or any person responsible for preparing the consumption) grasps the first container 2 wherein the ice cream is formed, removes the closure member 5 by taking hold of the lugs 53 and by pivoting about the axis of extension thereof, then inserting instead of the closure member 5 the tube 4.

Once inserted, the tube 4 is held correctly inside the hollow rod 222 when the tube 4 reaches the upper end 2221 of the hollow rod 222 and when it is elastically deformed by the protuberances 223.

The restaurant owner subsequently takes hold of the second container 3 previously filled with a liquid (such as alcohol or squash) and closed with a membrane seal 36, then assembles the first container 2 with the second container 3.

During the assembly, the tube 4 pierces the membrane seal 36 so as to make possible the fluidic communication between the first container 2 and the second container 3.

Alternatively, the restaurant owner may remove the membrane seal 36 manually before the assembly of the first container 2 with the second container 3.

During the assembly of the two containers 2, 3, the ring hook 2212 slides on the oblique protrusion 322 so as to permit an elastic deformation of the base 221 until the ring hook 2212 protrudes from the oblique protrusion 322 and lodges into the peripheral groove 321, the base 221 then covering the original shape thereof.

When the first container 2 and the second container 3 are assembled with one another, the consumer may remove the receptacle 21 to enjoy their ice cream and suck through the hollow rod 222 to obtain a gulp of the liquid contained in the second container 3.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the closure member 5 is integral with the receptacle 21 so that the closing of the upper end 2221 is carried out as soon as the hollow rod 222 is inserted into the receptacle 21.

The closure member 5 then takes the form of a pin protruding from the bottom 211 of the receptacle towards the end 213 of the peripheral wall.

When the receptacle 21 is filled with a liquid or semi-liquid product that, after resting at a negative temperature will form the ice cream, the insertion of the hollow rod 222 into the receptacle 21 is carried out so that the closure member 5 (integrally formed with the receptacle 21) penetrates inside the hollow rod 222 via the upper end 2221 thereof. The upper end 2221 is then closed by the closure member 5 so as to prevent the formation of ice cream in the hollow rod 222.

According to another alternative embodiment, not illustrated in the figures, the closure member 5 is in the form of a membrane seal for covering the upper end 2221 of the hollow rod 222. In this case, the tube 4 may then be inserted into the hollow rod 222 until it pierces the membrane seal for the sucking up of the liquid of the second container 3. The membrane seal then being in the open position thereof of the liquid of the second container 3. Alternatively, the membrane seal may be provided with a tab that the restaurant owner will know how to grasp in order to remove the membrane seal. The membrane seal will then be in the open position thereof of the liquid of the second container 3.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more examples, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure and/or the appended claims. 

1. A device for presenting an ice cream, comprising: a first container for containing the ice cream, incorporating: a base for supporting the ice cream, a hollow rod extending between an upper end and a lower end at the base, the upper end and the lower end being open; a second container to be sealed by the base of the first container; a tube, independent of the first container and of the second container, insertable into the hollow rod to form a suction channel for drawing a liquid contained in the second container; and a closure member for closing the upper end of the hollow rod, wherein the closure member is movable from a closed position to an open position in which the hollow rod is open to make enable consumption of the liquid of the second container.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member comprises a rod having a first solid end insertable into the hollow rod of the first container from the lower end until the upper end is closed.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the closure member comprises first and second lugs located at a second end opposite the first end, for handling the closure member.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second container comprises a body having a bottom wherefrom extends a peripheral wall, and an upper wall, opposite the bottom and having an opening for introducing the tube into the second container.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the second container comprises a membrane seal for covering the opening of the upper wall.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first container comprises a receptacle formed by a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom, the base having a drip gutter for receiving an end of the peripheral wall of the receptacle to form a closed volume between the receptacle and the base.
 7. The device according to claim 4, wherein the peripheral wall of the second container has a peripheral groove located close to the upper wall and the base comprises a ring hook insertable into the peripheral groove of the second container to seal the first container by the base.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first container comprises at least one gusset integral with the base and with the hollow rod to hold in position the hollow rod.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow rod comprises a retainer for retaining the tube in the hollow rod.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the closure member is integral with the first container. 